Frequently Asked Questions

The Office of the Bursar is primarily responsible for the management of student accounts. We send out the semester bills for tuition and fees, and we credit your account for the payments you make as well as any financial aid you receive.

We counsel students and their families on their student account and assist in resolving questions regarding tuition balances, loans, and other financial matters. We manage the repayment portion of Holy Cross's Perkins Loan program, as well as the Holy Cross Loan Program. If you have a Holy Cross Loan, you'll visit our office to sign a promissory note for your loan, and we'll make sure you understand your rights and responsibilities as a borrower. And, we provide Cashiering services for the College community.

What is the Student Center? And the Parent Portal? And TouchNet Bill+Payment?

The College has developed a portal to access our student academic records system (STAR). Students can access this information through the Student Center in STAR.

The Student Center allows students access to the following:

Grades
Course Registration
TouchNet Bill+Payment
Financial Aid Awarded
Student’s Food Plan
Student’s Room Assignment

Billing information is available on TouchNet Bill+Payment. A link is available in STAR for students to connect to TouchNet Bill+Payment.

The student controls who has access to the parent portal and what information they may view. Under FERPA (Family Education Rights and Privacy Act), a student’s account is private unless he/she grants access to it. A student can grant access to others by creating an authorized user account. If no authorized user is established, only the student will have access to his/her e-bill and grades. Students are encouraged to grant access to their parents.

The Parent Portal allows parents access to the following:

Grades
Financial Aid Notifications
Dining Services Online Ordering

Access to the Parent Portal is granted by the student.

TouchNet Bill+Payment allows parents and authorized users access to the following:

View Account Balance
Make an Online Payment
Real Time Payment Posting to the Student Account
Enroll in a Payment Plan
Self Generate Billing Statements

Again, access to TouchNet Bill+Payment is granted by the student.

Who do I speak with if I have a question about a tuition statement?

If you have a question about a tuition statement, please call the Office of the Bursar at (508) 793-2521. Please have the student ID (found in the upper right hand corner of the billing statement) handy.

We can only speak with the student and the individual(s) that has been granted access by the student. Students are advised to consider granting access to all family members who may have reason to assist in payment and/or who may wish to speak with a representative of the Bursar Office.

Why do I need authorization to access my son/daughter’s tuition account?

According to the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), students attending higher education institutions are considered adults with exclusive rights over their student account records. Students may authorize the release of information from their student account by setting up authorized users via their STAR and TouchNet Bill+Payment account. Without this authorization, information regarding the student’s tuition account cannot be disclosed to anyone except the student.

How can I be set up as an Authorized User?

Access for authorized users must be given to both the Parent Portal and TouchNet Bill+Payment.

To create an Authorized User in the Parent Portal, students will need to log into their STAR account and click on “Manage Authorized Users” to give their users access to view grades and financial aid. The student should be aware that they need to click on the “consent” button before access will be granted. Parents will receive an email from the College with login credentials.

To grant access to TouchNet Bill+Payment, the student needs to log into their STAR account, click on the TouchNet Bill+Payment icon, and then click on Authorized Users in TouchNet. Parents and authorized users will receive an email from TouchNet with login instructions. These instructions are separate and unique from the Parent Portal instructions.

What can I do if I am having trouble logging in as an Authorized User?

If you having difficulty logging in with your credentials, please try the follow troubleshooting tips:

Ensure that you are logging into the Parent Portal or TouchNet Bill+Payment as the authorized user and not as your student.
If you forgot your password, click on the link provided to have the password reset and sent to your authorized user email address.
Clear the cookies on your browser.
If you have multiple email accounts, be sure you are using the email account that was provided when your access was authorized.

If you continue to have trouble logging in with your credentials, please call the Bursar Office at (508) 793-2521 and a member of our team will be glad to assist you. The Bursar Office is open Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

How do I update my address?

Students are responsible for updating their address as soon as an address change occurs. Students make this change via their STAR account in the section titled “Personal Information” and then select “Contact Information”. Students also update addresses for their parents and/or authorized users. Please note that changing a student’s home address does not automatically change a parent’s address information.

What are your tuition and fees?

The most current tuition and fee schedule is available on the Bursar webpage titled “Tuition and Fees”.

Why was I billed for Health Insurance?

Massachusetts law states that if a student is enrolled more than half time, that student must be covered by an insurance plan that meets the Massachusetts Qualifying Student Medical Insurance Plan (QSHIP) requirements. All students are billed for insurance every year. Each year a student must either complete the on-line waiver by August 15th in order to have a credit posted to their tuition account and to confirm continued coverage in another insurance plan OR enroll in the health insurance plan.

How can I waive the Health Insurance charge? How can I enroll in the student health insurance?

The College has partnered with University Health Plans and Blue Cross Blue Shield to provide student health insurance. The insurance coverage is through Blue Cross Blue Shield with University Health Plans (UHP) providing administrative support for enrollment and customer service for general insurance questions. The waiver and enrollment process is handled on the UHP website.

Students can access the UHP website by going to the Bursar webpage titled “Health, Vision, and Dental Insurance” and clicking on the UHP link. Once on the UHP site, the student will need their Holy Cross ID number and Holy Cross email address.

Please note: Neither the waiver nor the enrollment process can be accessed with the parent or authorized user login credentials. It can take 24-48 hours for a Waiver of Health Insurance to be reflected on the student’s tuition account.

Why am I charged for Health Insurance when I waived it last year?

Similar to the enrollment period at your parent’s place of employment, the waiver and/or enrollment process must be completed every year you are in attendance at the College.

What is my financial responsibility?

It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of their account balance and financial aid information and to maintain current valid address information at all times to ensure receipt of all College correspondence in a timely manner. E-mails are generated monthly to notify students and their Authorized Users of the most recent tuition bill. Students and/or their Authorized Users are expected to open the billing statement upon receipt of the e-mail for any new activity. In the event that financial aid is reduced or cancelled, the student will become responsible for the outstanding charges. Should a tuition account be sent to an outside agency for collection action, the student will be responsible for late fees, interest, collection fees and costs, and attorney and court fees. Students are responsible for completing a Financial Responsibility Agreement every semester as a prerequisite for enrollment.

How can students stay informed of their responsibilities?

READ e-mails sent by College offices regarding important deadlines.

FOLLOW UP an e-mail with a telephone call if you are unsure what the e-mail is asking you to do.

REVIEW the Payment Policies and Procedures Guide on the Bursar website.

IF you are a recipient of financial aid, check the Financial Aid “To Do” lists on your STAR account.

KEEP informed via department websites.

CALL or VISIT an office if you have any questions or concerns.

Do you assess late fees? What are they?

For the 2023-24 academic year, the following late fee structure has been implemented:

Balances up to $1,999.99 = $50.00

Balances of $2,000.00 - $2,999.99 = $100.00

Balances of $3,000.00 - $3,999.99 = $150.00

Balances of $4,000.00 - $4,999.99 = $200.00

Balances of $5,000.00 and higher = $250.00

For the 2024-25 academic year, the late fee charged will be $200.00 regardless of balance.

Although the vast majority of students and parents pay their semester bill by the due date, this policy assures fair and equitable treatment for all student accounts and the timely receipt of tuition payments.

Why was I charged a late fee?

To avoid problems with student registration and a late payment fee, the semester bill is due and payable as specified on the tuition statement. Late fees will be assessed in those cases when a balance remains on a student’s account.

Why was a parking ticket billed to my tuition account?

When a student or a registered visitor receive a parking ticket, the ticket will be posted to the student’s tuition account.

Can I appeal a parking ticket billed to my tuition account?

A student has five (5) days after the issue date of the ticket to make a written appeal to the Office of Public Safety. If an appeal is granted, Public Safety will notify the Office of the Bursar in writing authorizing the posting of a credit to the corresponding tuition account.

What is the Health Service Fee?

The Health Service Fee is a mandatory charge billed to all students every semester they are attending classes at the College. This fee is used to cover the costs and expenses associated with operating the Health Services facility located in Loyola Hall.

What is the Student Activity Fee?

The Student Activity Fee is a mandatory fee paid by all students every year on their first semester bill. This fee is used to cover the costs and expenses associated with the operation of student organizations. Those students who are participating in a full year study abroad program will not be charged a Student Activity Fee. Those students who are participating in a one semester study abroad or study away program, will be charged the Student Activity Fee on the semester bill that reflects attendance on campus.

What is the Graduation Fee?

Every student is assessed a $150.00 graduation fee on their last semester bill. This fee is used to cover the costs and expenses associated with running graduation and the graduation reception.

What is Anticipated Financial Aid?

Anticipated Financial Aid represents contingent credit against the semester charges. As actual payments are received from outside scholarships or loans, actual credits will be applied to the student account. The “Anticipated Financial Aid” section of the billing statement will be deleted approximately forty-five days after the start of the semester allowing for funds to be received by the college for actual credit. This does not mean that the aid has been canceled – only that the Anticipated Aid will no longer be appearing as a pending credit on your tuition statements.

I received a financial aid package. Why isn’t it appearing on my tuition bill?

If you have received a financial aid award and it is not appearing on your tuition account, please call the Office of Financial Aid at (508) 793-2265 to determine the status of your award.

How do I decline all or part of my financial aid award?

Students can accept and decline all or part of their financial aid award on their STAR account. In the section titled “Finances”, please go to “Accept/Decline Awards” in the area under “Financial Aid”.

Why isn’t the work study award credited to the tuition account?

Federal College Work-study is a federally subsidized employment program in which eligible students are placed in part-time jobs on campus. If you receive a work study award as part of your financial aid package and you accept a work study position on campus, you will be paid through the Payroll Office on a weekly basis for the hours you've worked. These funds are not deposited onto your student account to reduce direct charges, tuition, room and food, or fees. They are intended to help defray your indirect costs, such as personal expenses, travel, and books.

Is there a discount for paying tuition in full?

We do not offer discounts on tuition.

When will I receive a billing statement?

E-bills are generated once per month. Notification of a new e-bill will be sent to the student’s Holy Cross email account and copied to their authorized user(s). Current and past e-bills are viewable in TouchNet Bill+Payment.

When are bills due?

The fall tuition bill is due on August 1st and the spring tuition bill is due on January 1st. Balances that occur during the semester due to changes in financial aid or to new postings are due upon receipt.

What happens if my tuition payment is late?

To avoid a registration hold and/or a late payment fee, you should contact the Bursar Office. Our goal is to avoid any unnecessary delays and problems with your registration and resolve issues prior to the start of the semester. You should contact our office as soon as possible to resolve any billing questions you may have and see what assistance we can provide.

Unpaid tuition balances may be subject to a registration hold and/or a late payment fee. To avoid problems with student registration and a late payment fee, the semester bill is due and payable as specified on the tuition statement.

If a student fails to pay their student account bill or charges remain unpaid for a current semester of enrollment, the College may administrative withdraw the student for an upcoming future semester or period, except as otherwise prohibited by law.

Where should I mail payments?

Please address payments to:

College of the Holy Cross

Student Accounts/Bursar

1 College Street

Worcester, MA 01610

How do I pay tuition?

Online Payments:

The College has partnered with TouchNet Bill+Payment to offer our students and their families the option to pay the tuition balance online using a checking or savings account, or a credit card (with a 2.95% convenience fee) at TouchNet. Parents and authorized users must be granted access to the portal by the student.

TouchNet Bill+Payment is easy to use, secure, and convenient. Here are some of its features and benefits:

24x7 access from anywhere
improved ease of use
real time payment posting to the students’ account
ability to save payment information for future use
online payments from a U.S. checking or savings account directly from this portal
enrollment in monthly payment plan

Mail in Your Payment:

Checks and be mailed along with the remittance slip from the online statement to:

College of the Holy Cross

Student Accounts/Bursar

1 College Street

Worcester, MA 01610

International Wire Transfer:

If you would like to send your payment via wire transfer, please contact the Bursar Office at (508) 793-2521 or via email at bursar@holycross.edu for directions on this procedure.

Monthly Payment Plan:

The College of the Holy Cross has partnered with TouchNet Bill+Payment to offer semester payment plans.. With TouchNet Bill+Payment, you can plan for your educational expenses in one of the following ways eliminating the need to make a single large payment prior to each semester.

For the Fall

Four (4) Month Calculated Payment Plan beginning July 1st
Three (3) Month Calculated Payment Plan beginning August 1st
Two (2) Month Calculated Payment Plan beginning September 1st

For the Spring

Four (4) Month Calculated Payment Plan beginning December 1st
Three (3) Month Calculated Payment Plan beginning January 1st
Two (2) Month Calculated Payment Plan beginning February 1st

The Calculated Payment Plan is set up to pay the remainder balance due on the account after charges and financial aid or any other payments are applied to the account. When you have new charges, your installment amounts will go up; when you have payments or other credits, your installment amounts will go down.

What happens if my payment is returned by the bank?

If your online payment is returned by TouchNet, you will be charged a $10.00 Return Payment Fee. If your mailed check is returned, you will be charged a $25.00 Return Check Fee. In both cases, you will need to submit a new payment. These fees are charged to the tuition account and are due upon receipt.

Do you accept credit cards?

Payments from a credit card can be made via TouchNet with a convenience fee of 2.95%.

How do I send an international wire transfer?

If you would like to send your payment via an international wire transfer, please contact the Bursar Office at (508) 793-2521 or via email at bursar@holycross.edu for directions on this procedure.

How do I make an online payment?

The College has partnered with TouchNet Bill+Payment to offer our students and their families the option to pay the tuition balance online using a checking or savings account on TouchNet. Parents and authorized users must be granted access to the portal by the student.

TouchNet Bill+Payment is easy to use, secure, and convenient. Here are some of its features and benefits:

24x7 access from anywhere
improved ease of use
real time payment posting to the students’ account
ability to save payment information for future use
online payments from a U.S. checking or savings account directly from this portal
enrollment in monthly payment plan

Can I make a payment over the telephone for tuition?

Regretfully, we do not accept payments over the telephone for tuition and fees.

Should I make a payment even if I did not receive a tuition bill?

Yes. You are responsible for the balance of your tuition account even if you did not receive a bill. Students and authorized users may view and print their past and current e-bills through their TouchNet Bill+Payment account 24 hours a day. Students and authorized users can also view their current balance on TouchNet Bill+Payment. This is live data and is exactly what the Bursar Office would see if you were to call our office for assistance.

Why is my payment not reflected on my online billing statement?

The online billing statement is static, much like reviewing a copy of your paper bill. The statement will reflect only those charges and payments up to the date of the billing statement. If a payment is received or charges are incurred after the billing statement has been generated, the statement total balance due will not change. The student and authorized user can view all current activity by logging onto TouchNet Bill+Payment and selecting the term they wish to view.

What payment plans are offered by College of the Holy Cross?

The College of the Holy Cross has partnered with TouchNet Bill+Payment to offer semester payment plans beginning as early as July 1st for the Fall semester and December 1st for the Spring semester. With TouchNet Bill+Payment, you can plan for your educational expenses in one of the following ways eliminating the need to make a single large payment prior to each semester.

For the Fall

Four (4) Month Calculated Payment Plan beginning July 1st
Three (3) Month Calculated Payment Plan beginning August 1st
Two (2) Month Calculated Payment Plan beginning September 1st

For the Spring

Four (4) Month Calculated Payment Plan beginning December 1st
Three (3) Month Calculated Payment Plan beginning January 1st
Two (2) Month Calculated Payment Plan beginning February 1st

How do Calculated Payment Plans work?

If you are enrolled in a Calculated payment plan, the remaining monthly installment amounts will be adjusted up or down as your account balance changes. Some of the reasons your account balance might change are if additional charges are added to your account, Financial Aid is reduced/increased or an outside payment is received.

Will I be notified if a payment plan is recalculated?

The user who set up the payment plan will receive an email notification each time the installment amounts are recalculated.

Why do I keep receiving emails about my payment plan being recalculated?

Each day that changes are made to the billing amount for your account, our system will notify you that the plan installments have changed. If no changes are made, you will not receive recalculation notices.

What other email notifications will I receive?

Listed below are some reasons why you may receive email notifications about your payment plan:

An installment amount is due
A payment was not made on time
Payment confirmation
Other administrative messages may be sent regarding your payment plan

How do I enroll in a payment plan?

Students or authorized users can enroll in a payment plan by following these steps:

Students can log into TouchNet Bill+Payment through their STAR account. Parents/Authorized Users can log into TouchNet Bill+Payment by going directly to their website. (Note to Parents: Your student must set you up as an authorized user before you will be able to access this site.)
Once you are logged in select the “Payment Plans” tab
Select “Enroll Now”
Choose the correct term and click “Select”
Click continue and follow the prompts to complete the payment plan enrollment

How do I make installment payments?

Students and/or authorized users can make a payment online towards an existing payment plan by following these steps:

Students can log into TouchNet Bill+Payment through their STAR account. Parents/Authorized Users can log into TouchNet Bill+Payment by going directly to their website. (Note to Parents: Your student must set you up as an authorized user before you will be able to access this site.)
Once you are logged in select the “Payments” tab
Under the “Payment Plan Installments” box, select “Pay” next to an installment amount
Enter the amount you wish to pay and click “Continue”
Choose a payment method and follow the prompts to submit your payment

What is the cost of enrolling in a payment plan?

The plans are interest-free. A $60.00 non-refundable payment plan enrollment fee is due when you sign up for a payment plan each semester.

What happens if I miss a monthly payment or if my monthly payment is late?

If you fail to make an installment payment according to the payment plan agreement, your payment plan may be terminated leaving a balance due on your account. In addition, you (or your student) may be at risk of late fee assessment and/or schedule cancellation if payment in full is not made by the payment deadline(s).

What is your refund policy?

The College’s refund policy can be found on the Bursar webpage titled “Refunds”.

I have a credit on my account. How do I get a refund?

Since the tuition bill is in the student name, the student must request a refund. A refund request form can be found on the bottom of the Bursar webpage titled “Refunds”. The top form must be completed by the student and returned to the Bursar Office in O’Kane 159 or sent to the Bursar email (bursar@holycross.edu )on the student’s Holy Cross email account.

*Please Note: Refunds will NOT be processed based on anticipated credits. If you have anticipated grants or loans your refund will be processed upon receipt of these funds. The College will not issue refunds to third parties, i.e. loan agencies, banks, companies. Plus Loan and parent loan refunds must be issued to the borrowing parent unless written instructions to do otherwise are submitted each semester. Refunds from 529 disbursements are issued to the student. The student is encouraged to consult with their parents regarding the completion of this form so that all parties are in agreement with regards to the return of excess funds.

What is a 1098-T Form?

IRS Form 1098-T is used by eligible educational institutions to report information about their students to the IRS as required by the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997. Eligible educational institutions are required to submit general student enrollment information and financial data for the corresponding tax year. Information included is:

Student Name

Address

Social Security Number or Tax Identification Number

Enrollment Status

Academic Status

Amount paid for qualified tuition

Scholarship or Grant Amounts

Adjustments to prior year charges and/or scholarships (if applicable)

Colleges and universities are required to issue a 1098-T for the purpose of determining a student’s eligibility for the Hope and Lifetime Learning education tax credit.

How can I obtain a copy of my 1098-T form?

IRS Form 1098-T is mailed each year on or before January 31st. Additionally, all students have access to all issued 1098-T forms on their STAR account. It is located in the Finances section but accessing the “go to..” drop down box.

Why do you need my social security number?

The IRS requires that all submitted 1098-T forms have a social security number or tax identification number. If one was not provided to the College when you were accepted to the school, the Bursar Office will contact you during the school year and ask you to complete IRS Form W-9S. We are unable to submit a 1098-T form to the IRS on your behalf if you have not provided us with your social security number.

In This Section

Frequently Asked Questions

In This Section